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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: fortiter on Thursday 09 January 14 00:56 GMT (UK)
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Does anyone know the origin of the name Port Allen on the River Tay?
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A history of Errol (and Port Allen)
http://perthshire.blogspot.com/2007/12/errol-perthshire-scotland.html
mentions that embankments were constructed, to allow drainage of the land, by Mr Allen in 1836 and Captain Allen RN later.
So, maybe a link to the Allen family?
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Thanks, KGarrard.
I am assuming that there is a connection to the Allen family. John Allen purchased property at Inchmartine in 1783, so there was quite a period when Allens were present in the area. It would be nice to know whether there was a "Port Allen" prior to 1783. If there was, then maybe this a reason for John Allen to have bought in the area, although the family seem to have come from Glasgow.
Jonathan
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Further information on the Allens in the area: John Allen also acquired property at Errol at some later date, which appears to be even closer to Port Allen. Captain Allen, R.N. apparently lived at Errol.
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Hi All
I have had a look at the maps on the NLS site
http://maps.nls.uk/
The first map I have seen with Port Allen on it is the first edition O.S. map prior to this I think the area was called The Pow of Errol.
I could be wrong
Yours Aye
BruceL
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Thanks, Bruce.
I think I can safely assume that "Port Allen" dates from the time that John Allen and his two sons were at Errol and Inchmartine.
Jonathan
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The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) has historical and descriptive data on Port Allen http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/search/?keyword=port+allen&submit=search which may assist you.
Bill
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Thanks for the lead, Bill. The website looks very interesting.
Jonathan
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Thanks everyone.
I have located a book which might provide the answer: Melville, Lawrence: Errol, Its Legends, Lands and People, 1935. Amazon have it listed on CD, so I have ordered one. Fingers crossed!
Jonathan
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The very interesting local history book I referred to previously says that the name of the harbour in old records appears as "Miln of Errol", "Port of Errol", "Pow and Harbour of Errol". The author states that only in recent times (the book was published in 1935) has it been known as "Port Allen". "According to some of the present inhabitants of the village", says the author, "this name was bestowed upon it by one of the Allens of Errol Park."
The Allens purchased property in the area in the mid 18th century.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Jonathan
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In a bundle of old documents I have found a fire insurance certificate dated 1834 in favour of Mrs Catharine Binny, relict of the late Andrew Binny stamp master in Errol, Isobell Binny, relict of Mr John Nicol writer in Forfar and Catharine Binny wife of Alexr Christie writer in Dundee & Elizabeth [crossed out] Ann Binny all lawful daughters of the said Andrew Binny. The property concerned was in Port Allen Lots 2 & 3 - "2 dwelling houses of 2 storeys stone and slated with offices under the same roof" - indoor cludgies ??? ;D, I do not know the address & I doubt if the house is still standing.
From what I know, the property was originally held by William Lauder from 1824 then sold back to the Errol Estate by Catharine Binny & her daughters in 1835. The document may be of interest to local historians or the Binny family. Please contact me by pm if you are interested.
I also have details of ownership records [not the actual records] for the estate from 1647.
Josey